Current Studies

Youth, Epilepsy and Successful Self-Management

The University of Minnesota is searching for youth (13-24 years old) with epilepsy and parents of youth with epilepsy to participate in an online survey regarding the impact of epilepsy on mental and physical health, and the types of health services you get and want. Your feedback will help researchers with Managing Epilepsy Well Network create programs that serve you better.

For more information on this survey or to take part, please contact Peter Scall (Principal Investigator) or Emily Regan (Program Coordinator) at MEW@UMN.EDU. After taking the survey, participants will be able to sign up for a $25 gift card.

Brain Imaging Study: The Wisconsin Epilepsy Connectome Project

Volunteers are needed for a new study aimed at understanding brain changes that occur in epilepsy. Participants will undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and magneto-encephalography (MEG) brain imaging tests. MRI is a method by which images of the brain are obtained using a magnetic field. MEG is a method of recording tiny magnetic fields produced by the brain. No harmful radiation or injected dyes are used for either procedure. Information collected with these advanced imaging tools will be used to make highly detailed maps of brain activity, which we hope will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment methods for epilepsy.

The study, which will take place at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, requires 5 visits, each lasting 4-5 hours. Participants receive $30 per hour for their time. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 60, speak English fluently, and have a diagnosis of epilepsy.

Please consider participating in this important study. To volunteer or obtain additional information, please contact a study coordinator in Milwaukee or Madison:

The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin will be conducting an emergency seizure study, enrolling patients who are actively seizing despite initial treatment. Any person over the age of 2 may be eligible and will receive one of three commonly used medications to stop the seizure. For more information click here, or visit www.mcw.edu/ESETT. The study will begin in March 2016.

ESETT is an emergency medicine research study designed to try to save and improve the lives of people who experience a seizure lasting longer than five minutes and, which has failed to respond to a full dose of a benzodiazepine (like valium). Emergency department care of Established Status Epilepticus (ESE) in the US in not the same everywhere. Doctors use their judgement, but what treatment will work best is not known. This study plans to look at three commonly used medicines given in the emergency departments to treat ESE: fosphenoytoin (fPHT), valproic acid (VPA), and levetiracetam (LVT) to learn which treatment is most effective at stopping a seizure quickly.

Normally, researchers get permission (consent) before a person can be included in a study. A person having a seizure that will not stop will not be able to give consent at the time they could be enrolled. Since a seizure that will not stop on its own must be treated quickly, there will not be enough time to locate and talk to the person's legal representative about the study, so the person will be enrolled in the study without his/her legal representative's consent. This is called Exemption From Informed Consent (EFIC). Once the representative is located or the patient wakes up, they will be asked to give their permission to continue in the study.

Opting out of this study: Any adult who does not wish to be enrolled in this study may opt-out by wearing an opt-out bracelet or necklace. These may be requested free of charge by calling (414) 805-6493 or email ESETT@mcw.edu.

Rare Epilepsy Network

The Rare Epilepsy Network is a collaboration between the Epilepsy Foundation, RIT International, Columbia University, and many different organizations that represent patients with a rare syndrome or disorder that is associated with epilepsy or seizures. The Rare Epilepsy Network will establish a registry of these patients which includes patient or caregiver-reported data in order to conduct patient-centered research. This research will be in the form of natural history studies and completion of surveys. The registry will also create the infrastructure for future research such as clinical trials.

All of the research will be patient-centered, which means it will address research questions and topics that are important to the patient and caregivers with the ultimate goal of having patients and caregiver better able to participate in healthcare decisions. You may stop participating in the research at any time. For more information please visit the REN website.

Brain Injury Communication Studies

Individuals between the ages of 21-60 years old with and without traumatic brain injury are eligible for two studies that focus on communication skills related to work and social life after TBI.

Both studies involve completing tests of communication and thinking skills. Participants will be compensated for their participation. For more information please contact Lindsey Byom at (608) 262-6904.

Be Informed. Get Support. Be Empowered.

Are you currently taking anti-epileptic medication for partial-onset seizures without success? Have you had at least 2 seizures within the past 8 weeks?

A study is currently being offered to individuals ages 16 and older who are taking one or two anti-epileptic medications. All study-related specialist care will be provided at no cost to you. Compensation for time and travel may also be provided.